| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
 Posted - 12/19/2007 : 09:47:06 AM
|
Wow, seems to have hit a nerve here!
OK, so far the tally is hundreds of flights & one damaged guitar -- but damaged three times. Oy. Lawrence, remind me never to put money on your number at the Roulette wheel.
quote:
Mark - do you think one of those Taylor black, molded cases are flight worthy? Or does flying require something more sturdy?
These would be essentially the same as the SKB cases Lawrence and I referred to. I've had two of them destroyed, but with no damage to the guitar (my big Taylor).
Actually, I think the molded plastic cases are far superior to a heavy wooden case if you are flying. Why? because the plastic case will absorb the shock and fail, while the heavy wooden case transfers all of the energy to your axe.
But I'd strongly suggest more protection yet: either a dedicated flight case (Calton, Hiscox, etc), a case case like the Clam--- or the "case inside a shipping container" trick.
Keep the stories coming! The more folks participate, the better we'll be able to sleep at night. Or on the plane... |
 |
|
|
Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2007 : 10:38:51 AM
|
quote:
Wow, seems to have hit a nerve here!
Yes - Thanks to American Airlines (twice) and United (once).
Two things I learned for sure are:
...1) Never assume you will always get you Guitar into the cabin!
...2) Always slack the strings some! (2 of the breaks were headstocks)
......(I don't care what they say about the neck "going out" when the strings are slacked - better to have a neck at all!!  ) |
Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
Edited by - Lawrence on 12/19/2007 10:40:17 AM |
|
|
|
Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2007 : 11:06:33 AM
|
I posted this before but feel like posting it again. I know it'd bad to dwell on the the negative but Jon is a friend. Surely, we all feel a bit annoyed when the TSA confiscates your shampoo or perfectly good bottle of water. This comes from Pete Huttlinger's "Notes from Pete"quote:
January 28, 2006
AMERICA WEST DELIVERS TOOTHPICKS TO FOLK SINGING TERRORIST!
You've probably all read about my horrible experience with Delta Airlines last summer and their policy of not gate checking guitars. Other luggage is okay. Tubas are apparently okay. Banjos are okay. Ukeleles are fine too but guitars are specifically listed as not okay to gate check. Well my friend Jon Pousette-Dart was on an America West flight recently. He checked in one guitar and carried another on board in a soft gig bag. Before the plane left an America West employee boarded the plane and told Jon that the guitar would have to go underneath or Jon would have to get off the plane. Jon asked what the problem was and the guy told him that terrorists could use the guitar strings as weapons! The guy was not exactly nice about the situation when Jon tried to plead with him... "The instrument is expensive, it could get damaged down below, please - isn't there something we can do?" The answer was simple "The guitar goes underneath or you get off the plane." With no other options, Jon gave them the guitar. When he got off the plane they handed him a soft gig bag with very expensive toothpicks. They absolutely ruined his guitar! It is beyond repair.
I believe the airlines have gone too far with this. How is the working musician supposed to get from one place to another? If airline employees are having a bad day they can become bullies and if we stand up and ask questions we are terrorists. What interesting times we live in.
|
Andy |
|
|
|
Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2007 : 11:34:05 AM
|
Further proof that you should not rely on your good looks to get the guitar in the cabin with you. You may do it on one leg, but, as I found out a few years back, the gate attendant at the next leg could be having a bad day...
Nice cow tho'
|
|
|
|
Podagee57
Lokahi
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2007 : 12:55:10 PM
|
quote:
Jon asked what the problem was and the guy told him that terrorists could use the guitar strings as weapons! The guy was not exactly nice about the situation when Jon tried to plead with him... "The instrument is expensive, it could get damaged down below, please - isn't there something we can do?" The answer was simple "The guitar goes underneath or you get off the plane." With no other options, Jon gave them the guitar.
I think....no, I know I'd have pulled the strings off and handed them to the nice attendant.
|
What? You mean high "E" is the TOP string. No way dude! That changes everything! |
|
|
|
Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 12/27/2007 : 4:42:47 PM
|
So that brings up questions of a slightly different nature but having to do with traveling guitars. If I should get to go to AMC in June, where Geri Valdriz is teaching, I would want to bring my Rik Fry Pan over there for him to teach me. (He's the one who told me to get one if I could ever find one for sale.) Funny vintage case, funny shape guitar. In fantastic condition and priceless to me.
1. How attractive (to steal) is a metal body guitar which shows on every X-ray machine if I should check it in?
2. Is it too big for most overheads? It's a long scale, 25".
3. What kind of case would be foolproof because of the odd shape of the intrument, and I assume I need not slacken strings.
4. Should I leave it at home?
So far I've had no problems with the Baby Taylor or others, but this Fry Pan is very special...
Julie
Oh, it did travel to me in an old cardboard taped up box, but that was before I fell in love with it!
|
|
|
|
Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2007 : 09:12:02 AM
|
Hi Julie -
That's actually a good question. I've considered bringing my Rik, too, so I've wrestled with it. Here's what I decided:
Pack it up inside a cardboard box. Mark the box with something like "El Ray-o X" (worked for Lindley) or "Zygote Brothers Irradiated Waste Disposal" (worked for me) to discourage the curious & see if it'll fit inside some carry-on luggage. Then try to carry it on the plane with you. At the very least, gate check it. That way it only leaves your sight for a short time.
Alternately, do what I've done with my cheap-o steel: pack it up real well, then place it inside a honkin' big suitcase & check it through.
cheers,
Mark |
|
|
|
Ben
Lokahi
USA
122 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2007 : 09:52:21 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Mark
Nice cow tho'
Totally off topic - for which I apologize - but I believe the 'cow' is really one Quickdraw McGraw in his El Kabong persona. |
Mālama pono
Ben |
|
|
|
Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2007 : 09:59:40 AM
|
Not a cow?? I guess my aged eyes mistook the guitar tuners for the udder. E kala mai.
Is there no end to what we can learn on this forum? |
|
|
|
Podagee57
Lokahi
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2007 : 10:31:08 AM
|
| What's a Rik fry pan...I'm assuming it is not used to cook with, er, that is, for cooking food? Cause if it is some kind of instrument (of course it is) you can still "cook" with it.......right? |
What? You mean high "E" is the TOP string. No way dude! That changes everything! |
|
|
|
Karl Monetti
`Olu`olu
USA
756 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2007 : 12:08:50 PM
|
I've checked guitars numerous times in their hard shell cases (Taylor plywood and Taylor plastic) as well as a n 1846 parlor guitar in its original coffin case, and a cheap classical in cardboard case. No problems out of dozens of trips. I have also boarded many flights with full sized and travel guitars, putting them in overheads or in clothing bays. Gate checked many times, never any damage to any of them. Of course I like to carry on and put them in overheads most but that is not always possible. Since I have built my own travel guitar to my own standards, including full 25" scale. I feel less inclined to take a full sized guitar with me since the sound and playability are close enough to satisfy my not-too-well-tuned ear. So far no turn-downs on carrying in on board, as it is the same length as Martin Backpacker.
As to conditions, I have travelled to Hawaii and mexico at the hot end, and two Taylors have been left in -50 weather for hours here in Alaska. Then right into 70 degree rooms to play; it takes a few minutes for the tuning to settle, but no damage yet. My old 12 string Ovation has withstood days of -40 in my airplane with no damage. BTW, I think they may have had the first plastic hardshell cases, at least the first I can remember seeing in 1970. Went well with their plastic guitar concept. Many Alaskans, especially natives in the bush communities have Ovations, and I have noticed a lot of Hawaiians do the same; they are pretty much indestructible by weather or force. |
Karl
Frozen North |
|
|
|
Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2007 : 2:21:36 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Podagee57
What's a Rik fry pan?
Rickenbacker fry pan
 |
Andy |
|
|
|
Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2007 : 6:04:36 PM
|
Thanks for the photo, Andy.
The one I have is a little longer scale, in wonderful condition, no corrosion, no pitting, no rust spots anywhere. I was really lucky with eBay this time!
Obviously, I am more concerned about theft than damage to the instrument. I mean, it is after all a hunk of aluminum.
Julie |
Edited by - Julie H on 12/28/2007 6:06:57 PM |
|
|
|
Reid
Ha`aha`a
Andorra
1526 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2007 : 03:12:17 AM
|
Julie, just one thing that Geri told me at Waihe'e. Since the Rik fry pan is aluminum, it expands and contracts more than bodies/necks of steels made of other, more inert, materials under temperature changes. It won't be hurt, or anything, but it will be go out of tune fairly easily as it changes length, until it settles down and gets "soaked" in the new temp. I know you live in an area of pretty constant temperature and Hawai`i *usually* is, as well, but, if there are sudden changes in temp (like getting out of a plane, or if Kaupoa gets suddenly chilly, as it has), don't worry about the tuning drift - just wait a while and/or keep retuning.
Also, you know Geri has modified his fry pan with a drill and put control knobs in new places that are more convenient to use while playing? I asked him if if he cared about destroying "collector value", and he said (paraphrase): "No. this is an instrument to be played and enjoyed; that is more important than the money it might bring".
Have fun with it.
...Reid |
|
|
|
T-Dan
Lokahi
USA
132 Posts |
Posted - 12/30/2007 : 06:42:50 AM
|
Never had a problem until 2000 when I flew Delta to Hawai'i for highschool reunion #25 with my Guild acoustic....Factory fitted hard plastic shell case and everything, but when I picked it up on the return to LAX the case was crushed. Big 16 inch crack from the tail end top lid to the center...Uh-oh....Open the case and the the soundboard had 5-6 long cracks in the grain, a loose bracing inside, the black binding on the top edge was mangled in one spot, and many minor cracks were on the soundboard. The neck and headstock seemed fine, so it still played. I shopped around for a repair estimate. The guitar cost me around $750 ten years prior, which wasn't terribly cheap back then...A recommendation from a friend led me to a luthier in Venice CA who did the job for $350...Solidified everything, refinished it, and except for the scars, it still plays well...It's since been demoted to "Ol' Beater" that gets taken to the office or is the spare when people come to visit and didn't bring theirs...
That is why when I went to AMC in 2006 that I did not go with my favorite guitar (Lowden O-25) but initially took my Martin Backpacker...On the way to the camp I stopped on O'ahu for three days to visit family and friends and realized that I did need a better guitar than the backpacker if I was gonna get the most out of the experience...So I shopped in Honolulu and ended up buying a midrange Tacoma with a hard shell case for around $350...Nice action and decent sound for the price and it survived...After many conversations with other guitarists since, I have become less paranoid than I was and have flown with the Lowden...But I still try and bring it in the cabin, and then gatecheck it if they won't let me bring it on...It does fit in the overhead on the larger jets, but usually get grumbling looks from fellow passengers for taking up so much space...
I am glad that no one else seems to have had any problems...But that was my experience...Based on the radiation of the crack on the case and the damage to the guitar binding, I guessed and the luthier agreed that it probably fell or was dropped and landed on its tail end...And before anyone asks, Delta said they were absolved from blame since I had signed a damage waiver when I checked it in...
Rare as it is, it can happen...Be careful out there... |
Edited by - T-Dan on 12/30/2007 06:48:45 AM |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Flying with Yer Guitar-- the real story
